Call for RSS 'ban': Karnataka Cabinet to issue order regulating activities of private organisations in public places

Bengaluru: In a move expected to hit the Rashtriya Swayaksevak Sangh's (RSS) daily activities, the state Cabinet decided on Thursday to issue a "detailed" Government Order (GO) preventing "trespassing" on public places by private institutions and organisations.

The Hindutva outfit holds shakhas and camps each day, usually in state-owned public grounds.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said: "The government has decided to issue a GO to prevent trespassing and regulate the use of public properties, including those of educational institutions."

The Cabinet's decision comes in the wake of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Priyank Kharge's letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, where Priyank sought a ban on RSS activities on government premises.

However, the government has clarified that this applies not just to RSS but to all private institutions and organisations "trespassing" (using these places without prior permission) on state-owned land. The RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, was banned thrice (in 1948, 1975 and 1992), but the bans were later lifted.

Patil told reporters that the government had decided to pass the order to provide "clarity" and to add some rules.

When specifically asked if the Cabinet's decision was a result of Priyank's letter, Patil was non-committal. "It could be a reason. The news that appeared on your papers could also be a reason. There may be many reasons."

"Government schools and colleges, aided institutions, playgrounds, public roads etc are meant for the citizens' use. Across the state, private organisations are using such properties for their activities, publicity, training.. etc, without prior permission from the department concerned, and in many cases, without intimation. This is deemed trespassing and threatens public safety. These organisations must take prior permission," notes a government document.

The document also notes that permission can be rejected if any activity is harmful to citizens and against the aspirations of the authority/organisation on whose premises the activity occurs.

Priyank, who had received threats following his letter to the chief minister, told reporters that new regulations will be introduced within 2-3 days.

"From now on, you cannot behave as you wish in public spaces and roads. They have to take permission, providing which is left to the government's discretion. Wielding lathis and conducting a patha sanchalan through just an intimation… We will bring rules for this."

Responding to possibilities of the BJP hitting the courts, Priyank said: "For what reason will they go to the courts? Are we banning the BJP or the RSS or any other organisations? We are just notifying the procedure in public places and government schools."